Vincent van Gogh (Vincent van Gogh, 1853–1890) was born on 3/30/1853 at 11:00 in Netherlands Zundert. Based on the birth details, the Ba Zi pillars are “癸丑 (Gui Chou), 乙卯 (Yi Mao), 丙申 (Bing Shen), 甲午 (Jia Wu)”; Day Master: 丙 (Bing) Fire; strength: Strong Day Master. In Zi Wei Dou Shu, the Life Palace is in 酉 (You), with Principal stars occupying the Life Palace: Moon (Tai Yin) and Wood bureau 3. In Western astrology, the Sun is in Aries, the Moon in Sagittarius, and the Ascendant in Cancer. Comparing major life events: In 1886, Moved to Paris; that year's Career and social standing score was 96, and the chart signal was auspicious. Below, we compare 10 major events in his life with the charts year by year to see how Eastern divination and Western astrology each interpret them.
Birth Details
Time of Birth
3/30/1853 11:00 (local time)
Place of Birth
Zundert, Netherlands (latitude 51.7° N, longitude 5.31667° E)
Data Source
Open Gauquelin Database（gogh-vincent-van-1853-03-30）; birth time as recorded on the birth certificate (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Year of Death
1890-07-29
Ba Zi: Four Pillars of Destiny
Year Pillar癸丑Gui Chou
Month Pillar乙卯Yi Mao
Day Pillar丙申Bing Shen
Hour Pillar甲午Jia Wu
The Day Master is 丙 (Bing), of the Fire (like flames spreading outward) element, with strength assessed as Strong Day Master; the favorable and useful Five Elements are Earth (like the ground supporting and holding things), Metal (like metal drawing inward and remaining firm), Water (like flowing water moving flexibly and seeping through).
Zi Wei Dou Shu
The Life Palace is in 酉 (You), Principal stars: Moon (Tai Yin); the Body Palace is in Life, and the Five-Element Bureau is Wood bureau 3. The birth year's Four Transformations: Army Breaker (Po Jun) undergoes Hua Lu (Prosperity Transformation) and enters Children, Giant Gate (Ju Men) undergoes Hua Quan (Authority Transformation) and enters Fortune, Moon (Tai Yin) undergoes Hua Ke (Recognition Transformation) and enters Life, Greedy Wolf (Tan Lang) undergoes Hua Ji (Adversity Transformation) and enters Parents.
Western Astrology Natal Chart
Ascendant
Cancer
Sun
Aries, House 10
Moon
Sagittarius, House 6
Mercury
Aries, House 10
Venus
Pisces, House 9
Mars
Pisces, House 9
Jupiter
Sagittarius, House 6
Saturn
Taurus, House 11
Houses use the Whole Sign system (the Ascendant's zodiac sign is House 1).
Rising Cancer: People with Cancer rising give a gentle, caring first impression and place importance on home and a sense of security.
Sun in Aries, House 10: The Sun represents the core self and the person one aspires to become; this placement is traditionally interpreted as: “With the Sun in the 10th house, your core identity and life will is expressed through career achievement, social status, public image, and legacy. This makes you likely to clear purpose and visible confidence, while your lesson is to remember that being seen does not have to become constant self-proof.”
Moon in Sagittarius: The Moon represents emotions and an inner sense of security.
Lifetime Fortune Line Chart
Dark blue line = overall fortune; gold line = career; alternating darker and lighter background = stages of the Ten-Year Luck Cycle (major periods); dots = major life events (green = positive events, red = setbacks, orange = turning points). Scores use this site's combined Zi Wei Dou Shu and Ba Zi scoring and serve only as a comparison within the culture of fate interpretation.
Major Life Events Compared with Birth Charts
1869 (16 years old): His uncle secured him an apprenticeship as an art dealer at the Goupil gallery.
Ba Zi: Ten-Year Luck Cycle: 癸丑 (Gui Chou); yearly cycle: 己巳 (Ji Si). This year's Career and social standing score is 82 (overall: 69).
Birth-chart indicators: 〔Take note〕During Yearly Fortune, Hurting Officer (Shang Guan) at Heavenly Stem is said to clash with Direct Officer, suggesting friction with people in authority.; 〔Auspicious〕For the Day Master 丙, branch 巳 of Yearly Fortune brings the “Taking Office” stage; strength and standing increase, suggesting career advancement..
The birth-chart indicators align with the direction of this event.
1873 (20 years old): Completed his training and was transferred to Goupil's London branch.
Ba Zi: Ten-Year Luck Cycle: 癸丑 (Gui Chou); yearly cycle: 癸酉 (Gui You). This year's Career and social standing score is 58 (overall: 68).
Birth-chart indicators: 〔Auspicious〕Direct Officer (Zheng Guan) appearing at Heavenly Stem during Yearly Fortune is associated with advancement at work and receiving recognition.; 〔Take note〕The clash between branch 酉 in Yearly Fortune and the month branch 卯 points to shaken foundations and possible career changes..
Western Astrology: Jupiter transits Leo (House 2); Saturn transits Aquarius (House 8).
The birth-chart indicators do not fully align with the direction of this event—astrological interpretation offers a cultural perspective for comparison, while personal choices and the circumstances of the times are equally important.
1876 (23 years old): Left his gallery job and worked without pay as a substitute teacher at a primary school in England.
Ba Zi: Ten-Year Luck Cycle: 壬子 (Ren Zi); yearly cycle: 丙子 (Bing Zi). This year's Career and social standing score is 63 (overall: 56).
Birth-chart indicators: 〔Auspicious〕During Yearly Fortune, Heavenly Unity (Tian Tong) takes on a beneficial influence (Hua Lu) and enters the natal Travel Palace, suggesting happy developments and gains in Career and professional standing.; 〔Take note〕During Yearly Fortune, Chastity (Lian Zhen) takes on the obstructive Hua Ji influence and enters the Life Palace of Yearly Fortune, indicating that Career and professional standing may face obstacles and changes of course..
The birth-chart indicators do not fully align with the direction of this event—astrological interpretation offers a cultural perspective for comparison, while personal choices and the circumstances of the times are equally important.
1878 (25 years old): Prepared for the theology entrance examination at the University of Amsterdam but failed.
Ba Zi: Ten-Year Luck Cycle: 壬子 (Ren Zi); yearly cycle: 戊寅 (Wu Yin). This year's Studies score is 94 (overall: 75).
Birth-chart indicators: 〔Auspicious〕Eating God (Shi Shen) appearing at Heavenly Stem in Yearly Fortune is associated with artistic abilities and learning.; 〔Auspicious〕During Yearly Fortune, Greedy Wolf (Tan Lang) takes on a beneficial influence (Hua Lu) and enters the natal Parents Palace, suggesting happy developments and gains in Studies and examinations..
Western Astrology: Jupiter transits Aquarius (House 8); Saturn transits Aries (House 10), transiting the natal Sun sign.
The birth-chart indicators do not fully align with the direction of this event—astrological interpretation offers a cultural perspective for comparison, while personal choices and the circumstances of the times are equally important.
1880 (27 years old): Decided to become a painter and enrolled at the Brussels Academy of Fine Arts to study anatomy and perspective.
Ba Zi: Ten-Year Luck Cycle: 壬子 (Ren Zi); yearly cycle: 庚辰 (Geng Chen). This year's Studies score is 72 (overall: 73).
Birth-chart indicators: 〔Auspicious〕Eating God (Shi Shen) appearing at dominant energy of the Earthly Branch in Yearly Fortune is associated with artistic abilities and learning.; 〔Auspicious〕The presence of Literary Star (Wen Chang) in the Life Palace during Yearly Fortune suggests that paperwork and examinations related to Studies and examinations may proceed smoothly..
Western Astrology: Jupiter transits Aries (House 10), transiting the natal Sun sign; Saturn transits Aries (House 10), transiting the natal Sun sign.
The birth-chart indicators align with the direction of this event.
1882 (29 years old): Lived with Sien, who had children, despite strong opposition from his family.
Ba Zi: Ten-Year Luck Cycle: 壬子 (Ren Zi); yearly cycle: 壬午 (Ren Wu). This year's Marriage and relationships score is 40 (overall: 54).
Birth-chart indicators: 〔Take note〕During Yearly Fortune, Military Song (Wu Qu) takes on the obstructive Hua Ji influence and enters the Spouse Palace of Yearly Fortune, indicating that Marriage and romantic relationships may face obstacles and changes of course.; 〔Take note〕With Rob Wealth at dominant energy of the Earthly Branch in Yearly Fortune, a man's chart is traditionally read as showing pressure on the wife star, suggesting greater changes in marriage..
Western Astrology: Jupiter transits Gemini (House 12); Saturn transits Taurus (House 11), coinciding with a “Saturn return” (approximately every 29 years; traditionally viewed as a turning point involving tests and maturity).
This year marked a turning point, with both auspicious and adverse signs appearing in the birth chart, echoing the ups and downs of the events.
1885 (32 years old): Completed his first major work, The Potato Eaters.
Ba Zi: Ten-Year Luck Cycle: 辛亥 (Xin Hai); yearly cycle: 乙酉 (Yi You). This year's Career and social standing score is 30 (overall: 72).
Birth-chart indicators: 〔Auspicious〕When Direct Resource appears at Heavenly Stem in Yearly Fortune, its protective influence is associated with guidance and support from helpful people.; 〔Take note〕The clash between branch 酉 in Yearly Fortune and the month branch 卯 points to shaken foundations and possible career changes..
The birth-chart indicators do not fully align with the direction of this event—astrological interpretation offers a cultural perspective for comparison, while personal choices and the circumstances of the times are equally important.
1886 (33 years old): Moved to Paris, met avant-garde painters including Gauguin, and adopted a brighter painting style.
Ba Zi: Ten-Year Luck Cycle: 辛亥 (Xin Hai); yearly cycle: 丙戌 (Bing Xu). This year's Career and social standing score is 96 (overall: 69).
Birth-chart indicators: 〔Auspicious〕In Yearly Fortune, branch 戌 combines with the month branch 卯, suggesting stronger foundations and support for career matters.; 〔Auspicious〕During Yearly Fortune, Heavenly Unity (Tian Tong) takes on a beneficial influence (Hua Lu) and enters the natal Travel Palace, suggesting happy developments and gains in Career and professional standing..
Western Astrology: Jupiter transits Virgo (House 3); Saturn transits Cancer (House 1).
The birth-chart indicators align with the direction of this event.
1888 (35 years old): Moved to Arles in southern France, fully developed his painting style, and created celebrated works including Sunflowers.
Ba Zi: Ten-Year Luck Cycle: 辛亥 (Xin Hai); yearly cycle: 戊子 (Wu Zi). This year's Career and social standing score is 83 (overall: 72).
Birth-chart indicators: 〔Auspicious〕During Yearly Fortune, Moon (Tai Yin) gains the influence of authority (Hua Quan) and enters the natal Life Palace, suggesting greater decision-making power and initiative in Career and professional standing.; 〔Auspicious〕During Yearly Fortune, Right Helper (You Bi) takes on the recognition-related Hua Ke influence and enters the natal Life Palace, suggesting a good reputation and smoother progress in Career and professional standing..
Western Astrology: Jupiter transits Scorpio (House 5); Saturn transits Leo (House 2).
The birth-chart indicators align with the direction of this event.
1890 (37 years old): His works were selected for the sixth exhibition of the Society of Independent Artists in Paris.
Ba Zi: Ten-Year Luck Cycle: 辛亥 (Xin Hai); yearly cycle: 庚寅 (Geng Yin). This year's Career and social standing score is 82 (overall: 75).
Birth-chart indicators: 〔Take note〕During Yearly Fortune, Heavenly Unity (Tian Tong) takes on the obstacle-related Hua Ji influence and enters the natal Travel Palace, suggesting setbacks or difficulties in Career and professional standing.; 〔Auspicious〕The Day Master 丙 meets the “Birth” stage with branch 寅 during Yearly Fortune: fortune is beginning to grow and may gradually improve..
The birth-chart indicators align with the direction of this event.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ba Zi birth chart of Vincent van Gogh?
According to the birth time recorded in the Gauquelin database (3/30/1853 11:00, Zundert), the Ba Zi chart comprises the Year Pillar 癸丑 (Gui Chou), Month Pillar 乙卯 (Yi Mao), Day Pillar 丙申 (Bing Shen), and Hour Pillar 甲午 (Jia Wu). The Day Master is 丙 (Bing) Fire, assessed as Strong Day Master, with favorable elements Earth, Metal, Water.
What is the Life Palace in the Zi Wei Dou Shu chart of Vincent van Gogh?
The Life Palace is in the 酉 (You) palace, with Principal stars occupying the Life Palace: Moon (Tai Yin); its Five-Element Bureau is Wood bureau 3. The Four Transformations of the birth year are: Army Breaker (Po Jun) undergoes Hua Lu (Prosperity Transformation) and enters Children, Giant Gate (Ju Men) undergoes Hua Quan (Authority Transformation) and enters Fortune, Moon (Tai Yin) undergoes Hua Ke (Recognition Transformation) and enters Life, Greedy Wolf (Tan Lang) undergoes Hua Ji (Adversity Transformation) and enters Parents.
What are the Sun sign and rising sign of Vincent van Gogh?
Sun: Aries; Moon: Sagittarius; Ascendant: Cancer.
Are these birth-chart interpretations accurate?
This page compares and shares perspectives from traditional divination culture: it places publicly documented life events alongside birth charts to show how traditional systems interpret them. Divination is not prediction, and we make no claims about accuracy rates. In some years, the chart indicators agree with events; in others they do not. We present both outcomes as they are.
Cultural Exchange Notice
The Hundred Years Book of Fate is a cultural-exchange website that uses divination traditions and psychological tests as a medium. This page places publicly documented life events alongside birth charts, illustrating how Eastern divination systems and Western astrology interpret them in their own ways. It is not a prediction, nor does it mean that divination can explain someone's achievements or experiences. Life events are drawn only from public, verifiable sources and do not concern health.
Birth data: Open Gauquelin Database (CC BY-SA 4.0). Biographical data and life events: Wikidata Q5582 (CC0) , Wikipedia. Chart calculations: The Hundred Years Book of Fate engine; lunar calendar dates before 1900 are extended using astronomical calculations. Last updated: 2026-10-30.
